| Points (pt) | Centimeters (cm) |
|---|
This PT to CM Converter is a fast, browser-based tool for converting typography points to centimeters and back.
Designers and typesetters constantly switch between unit systems. This tool makes that instant.
Features:
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Bidirectional conversion -- type in either field and the other updates automatically
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Common size presets -- one-click access to standard sizes from 6pt footnotes to 72pt display type
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Copy result -- grab the converted value with a single click
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Swap fields -- reverse the conversion direction instantly
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Clear button -- reset both fields at once
Works entirely in the browser. No installs, no sign-up, no server calls.
Precise to 6 decimal places. Useful for print design, CSS work, document layout, and anywhere point sizes need to translate to physical measurements.
PT to CM Converter
Use the converter above. Enter your value in points and get the exact centimeter equivalent instantly.
No rounding. No guessing. Just accurate unit conversion for print design and typography work.
What is a PT to CM Conversion
A PT to CM conversion is the process of calculating the equivalent centimeter value of a measurement expressed in typographic points.
Points (pt) are a print and typography unit. Centimeters belong to the metric system. They don't share a base unit, so you need a fixed formula to move between them.
The two are used in very different contexts. Font sizes, type specifications, and design software like Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and Figma all work in points. Physical print dimensions, paper sizes, and real-world layout measurements are almost always in centimeters.
Converting between them is something print designers do constantly, especially when handing off files or setting document margins alongside typographic specifications.
How to Convert PT to CM
The PT to CM Formula
1 pt = 0.0352778 cm
That's the PostScript point standard, which is what CSS, Adobe software, and virtually every modern design tool uses.
Reversed: 1 cm = 28.3465 pt.
Manual Calculation Steps
To convert any point value to centimeters:
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Take your value in points
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Multiply by 0.0352778
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The result is your centimeter equivalent
Example: 12 pt × 0.0352778 = 0.423 cm
For the reverse, divide your centimeter value by 0.0352778 (or multiply by 28.3465).
PT to CM Conversion Table
Common point values and their centimeter equivalents, based on the PostScript point standard.
|
Points (PT) |
Centimeters (CM) |
|---|---|
1 pt | 0.035 cm |
2 pt | 0.071 cm |
3 pt | 0.106 cm |
4 pt | 0.141 cm |
5 pt | 0.176 cm |
6 pt | 0.212 cm |
7 pt | 0.247 cm |
8 pt | 0.282 cm |
9 pt | 0.317 cm |
10 pt | 0.353 cm |
11 pt |
0.388 cm |
12 pt | 0.423 cm |
14 pt | 0.494 cm |
15 pt | 0.529 cm |
16 pt | 0.565 cm |
18 pt | 0.635 cm |
20 pt | 0.706 cm |
24 pt | 0.847 cm |
25 pt | 0.882 cm |
30 pt | 1.058 cm |
35 pt | 1.235 cm |
36 pt | 1.270 cm |
40 pt | 1.411 cm |
45 pt | 1.587 cm |
48 pt | 1.693 cm |
50 pt | 1.764 cm |
60 pt | 2.117 cm |
70 pt | 2.469 cm |
72 pt | 2.540 cm |
80 pt | 2.822 cm |
90 pt | 3.175 cm |
100 pt | 3.528 cm |
72 pt equals exactly 1 inch, which equals 2.54 cm. That's the anchor value worth memorizing.
What is a Point (PT) in Typography
A point is a typographic unit of measurement. It's the standard unit for specifying font size, leading, and type-related dimensions in print and digital design.
The current standard is the PostScript point: 1 pt = 1/72 of an inch. This is the definition used by CSS, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Figma, and Microsoft Word.
Points show up everywhere in design software, but they don't translate directly to a ruler. That's the core reason print designers convert pt to cm: centimeters are physical, measurable, and map to real-world page dimensions.
PT in CSS vs. PT in Print
In CSS, pt is an absolute unit tied to the PostScript point definition. On screen, browsers calculate it against the display's assumed resolution (typically 96 DPI).
In print, the same 1 pt = 1/72 inch definition applies. The math is identical.
The confusion usually comes from screen rendering, not from any actual difference in the unit. For print work, CSS pt and print pt are the same.
What is a Centimeter (CM)
A centimeter is a metric unit of length. One centimeter equals 1/100 of a meter, or approximately 0.394 inches.
It's the default measurement unit for physical print dimensions: paper sizes, document margins, image placement, packaging specs. Anything you'd measure with a ruler uses centimeters (or millimeters) in most parts of the world.
In design contexts, centimeters work well for page layout and document setup. Font sizes in centimeters are technically possible but practically unusual. That disconnect is exactly why the pt to cm conversion matters for print design work.
When to Use PT vs CM
These two units serve different purposes. Mixing them up in a design file creates handoff problems fast.
Points are for typographic specifications: font size, leading, tracking, text box dimensions. Every major design tool defaults to pt for type.
Centimeters are for physical layout: page size, margins, image placement, bleed areas. Anything you'd verify with a ruler.
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Use pt for: font sizes, line height, type scale, CSS font-size declarations
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Use cm for: document setup, margins, print dimensions, packaging, paper sizes
A common workflow: set your page dimensions in cm, set your type in pt, then use the conversion formula when a printer or client asks for everything in one unit.
Common PT Values and Their CM Equivalents in Practice
Font Sizes
Body text runs 10-12 pt, which is 0.353-0.423 cm. Small on a ruler, but it's the range most readers find comfortable for long-form print.
Headings sit between 18-36 pt, roughly 0.635-1.270 cm. Display type at 48-72 pt reaches 1.693-2.540 cm, large enough to measure by hand.
Print Design Standards
A standard A4 document has margins typically set at 2-3 cm. The body text inside those margins is still specified in points. That gap is exactly where the pt to cm conversion formula earns its place.
Business cards sit at 8.5 x 5.5 cm in most markets. If your design software gives you those card dimensions in points, that's 241 x 156 pt. Knowing both lets you work in either unit without stopping to recalculate by hand.
How to Convert CM to PT (Reverse Conversion)
1 cm = 28.3465 pt
Multiply your centimeter value by 28.3465. That's the full reverse of the pt to cm formula, same PostScript point standard.
Example: 2.5 cm × 28.3465 = 70.87 pt
|
Centimeters (CM) |
Points (PT) |
|---|---|
0.1 cm | 2.83 pt |
0.2 cm | 5.67 pt |
0.3 cm | 8.50 pt |
0.4 cm | 11.34 pt |
0.5 cm | 14.17 pt |
0.6 cm | 17.01 pt |
0.7 cm | 19.84 pt |
0.8 cm | 22.68 pt |
0.9 cm | 25.51 pt |
1 cm | 28.35 pt |
1.5 cm | 42.52 pt |
2 cm | 56.69 pt |
2.5 cm | 70.87 pt |
3 cm | 85.04 pt |
4 cm | 113.39 pt |
5 cm | 141.73 pt |
6 cm | 170.08 pt |
7 cm | 198.43 pt |
8 cm | 226.77 pt |
9 cm | 255.12 pt |
10 cm | 283.46 pt |
20 cm | 566.93 pt |
30 cm | 850.39 pt |
Related Unit Conversions
Point-based measurement sits inside a larger system of typographic and print units. These are the conversions that come up most in real design work.
If you work in CSS, pixels are the unit you'll hit most often. The PX to PT Converter handles that direction, and the PX to CM Converter bridges screen units directly to metric. For screen-to-print work specifically, the PX to Inches Converter is useful when working with US-standard print specs.
PT to MM is the closest alternative to pt to cm conversion. Millimeters are more precise for tight print tolerances and are standard in professional print production workflows.
PT to inches matters when working with US letter, tabloid, or other imperial paper formats. Since 72 pt = 1 inch exactly, the math is clean.
PT to em and rem units is a CSS-specific conversion. Responsive typography uses relative units, and knowing how your fixed pt values map to scalable em/rem values helps maintain a consistent typographic scale across screen sizes.
FAQ on PT to CM Converters
How many centimeters is 1 point?
1 typographic point equals 0.0352778 cm. That's based on the PostScript point standard: 1 pt = 1/72 of an inch. All major design tools, including Illustrator and InDesign, use this definition.
What is the formula to convert PT to CM?
Multiply your point value by 0.0352778. So 12 pt × 0.0352778 = 0.423 cm. For the reverse, multiply centimeters by 28.3465 to get points back.
Why do designers need to convert points to centimeters?
Points are used for font sizes and typographic specs. Centimeters are used for physical print dimensions. When setting up a print layout, you often need both units in one document, especially for client handoffs.
How many points are in 1 centimeter?
1 cm = 28.3465 pt. This is the exact inverse of the pt to cm conversion formula, based on the same PostScript point standard used across print design and CSS.
Is the point unit the same in CSS and print design?
Yes. Both use the PostScript point: 1 pt = 1/72 inch. The unit behaves the same in print and in CSS absolute measurements. Screen rendering differences are a display issue, not a unit definition issue.
What is 12pt in centimeters?
12 pt equals 0.423 cm. This is a standard body text size in print design. At this size, the centimeter equivalent is small but significant when calculating precise typographic measurement in page layout work.
How do I convert font size from PT to CM?
Use the conversion formula: font size in pt × 0.0352778. A 10 pt font = 0.353 cm, 14 pt = 0.494 cm, 18 pt = 0.635 cm. The same formula applies to any point size, not just font sizes.
What is 72pt in centimeters?
72 pt = exactly 2.54 cm, which is 1 inch. This is the most important anchor value in typographic unit conversion. It confirms the PostScript point definition and makes imperial-to-metric cross-referencing straightforward.
Can I use centimeters for font size in design software?
Technically yes, but almost nobody does. Design software like Figma, Illustrator, and InDesign defaults to points for type. Centimeters are reserved for document dimensions, margins, and physical layout measurements.
What other units are related to PT in design?
Points connect directly to pixels (px), millimeters (mm), inches, and em/rem units. For screen work, px to pt is the most common conversion. For print, pt to mm is often more precise than pt to cm.